8868547

Programming content on a device

PublishedOctober 21, 2014
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
13 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method, performed by a device that both stores audio files and receives streamed audio content from a plurality of radio channels, of organizing the audio files stored on the device based on characteristics of the stored audio files when compared to characteristics of each of the plurality of radio channels, the method comprising: analyzing content received over at least a first radio channel and a second radio channel of the plurality of radio channels to determine characteristics of the audio content that is streamed over the first and second radio channels; based on the analysis, determining that the first radio channel plays a first type of music and that the second radio channel plays a second type of music; creating a first playlist based on the first radio channel; creating a second playlist based on the second radio channel; for each of a plurality of audio files stored on the device, comparing the audio file to the first and second radio channels to determine whether the audio file comprises the first type of music played on the first radio channel or the second type of music played on the second radio channel; based on the comparison, placing each audio file in the first or second playlist such that audio files comprising music of the first type are placed in the first playlist while audio files comprising music of the second type are placed in the second playlist; correlating the first playlist with the first radio channel; correlating the second playlist with the second radio channel; receiving input from a user of the device that specifies the first or second playlist; and in response to the user input, tuning the device to the radio channel that is correlated with the specified playlist.

Plain English Translation

A device that stores audio files and receives streamed audio content organizes stored audio files based on their characteristics compared to radio channels. The device analyzes content from radio channels (at least two) to determine their audio characteristics, identifying music types (e.g., "first type", "second type"). It creates playlists corresponding to each channel. Audio files are then compared to these channels to determine if they match the channel's music type. Based on this comparison, audio files are placed into the appropriate playlist. Each playlist is linked to its corresponding radio channel. When a user selects a playlist, the device tunes to the radio channel linked to that playlist, allowing the user to hear similar content.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein analyzing content received over at least a first radio channel and a second radio channel of the plurality of radio channels to determine characteristics of the audio content that is streamed over the first and second radio channels comprises determining metadata of a plurality of songs that are regularly streamed on each channel.

Plain English Translation

Building on the previous method, the analysis of radio channels to determine audio characteristics involves identifying metadata (artist, genre, etc.) of songs regularly played on each channel. This metadata is used to create a profile for each channel, defining the type of music that is generally broadcast, and is the basis for comparing against the stored audio files on the device. This metadata comparison makes determining the types of music played on the radio channels more accurate.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: displaying a listing of each playlist and its correlated channel.

Plain English Translation

Further improving upon the method of organizing audio files, the device also displays a list of each created playlist along with its correlated radio channel. This display lets users see the available playlists and quickly select the playlist which corresponds to a desired radio station. This visual aid simplifies the process for the user to choose the appropriate music or channel.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: indicating a degree to which the characteristics of at least some of the audio files within a particular playlist matches the characteristics of a particular channel.

Plain English Translation

In addition to the method described before, the device indicates how closely audio files within a playlist match the characteristics of a specific channel. This could be represented as a percentage or a star rating system, illustrating how relevant each audio file is to a particular channel's music style. Providing a degree of matching gives the user greater confidence that the audio files will correspond to the radio station to which it is associated.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of audio files comprise a subset of all audio files stored on the device, and wherein the audio files in the subset have been played more than audio files on the device that are not included in the subset.

Plain English Translation

In the previously described method, only a *subset* of all audio files stored on the device are analyzed and organized into playlists. This subset consists of audio files that have been played more frequently than other files on the device. This optimization focuses on the user's preferred and more frequently played music, which makes for more effective playlist generation, and saves the processing power of the device.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving input from the user that selects one of the channels of audio content; and displaying to the user one or more playlists that include audio files whose metadata most closely matches the characteristics of the selected channel.

Plain English Translation

Expanding on the existing method, if a user selects a specific radio channel, the device displays one or more playlists containing audio files with metadata that closely matches the selected channel's characteristics. This provides the user with a quick way to identify playlists containing similar music to the channel they chose. This feature provides another way for the user to locate playlists.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising: setting at least some channels to which one or more playlists correlate as a preset channel on the device.

Plain English Translation

Extending the core functionality, the device can set channels correlated to playlists as preset channels. This means that the user can quickly tune to a radio station that is correlated to a playlist, which makes for ease of access. This improves the user experience by automatically associating the playlists with presets.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising performing a subsequent analysis of the content received over at least some of the plurality of radio channels.

Plain English Translation

After the initial analysis, the device performs subsequent analyses of the content streamed over the radio channels. This allows the system to adapt to changes in the channels' programming. By regularly reanalyzing the data, the playlist generation keeps up to date with any trends of the radio stations.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the subsequent analysis is performed when audio files stored on the device changes or audio content streamed on the one or more channels changes.

Plain English Translation

Building on the previous claim, this subsequent analysis is triggered either when the audio files stored on the device are modified (added, deleted, or changed metadata) or when the audio content streamed on the radio channels changes. These triggers ensure the playlists remain relevant, which is a method of dynamic playlist generation.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein comparing the audio file to the first and second radio channels comprises comparing metadata of the audio files to the first and second radio channels, the metadata comprises at least one of an artist, a genre, or a time period of the audio files.

Plain English Translation

During the comparison of audio files to radio channels, the device compares the *metadata* of the audio files (artist, genre, time period, etc.) to the channel characteristics. This metadata-driven comparison allows the system to categorize audio files accurately based on the radio channel content, enabling it to correlate music styles and to create associations.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein at least one type of metadata is given a greater weight in the comparison than at least one other type of metadata.

Plain English Translation

When comparing metadata of audio files to radio channels, the device assigns different weights to different types of metadata (artist, genre, time period). For example, genre could be given more weight than the time period. This weighting reflects that certain elements might be more important than others for determining genre-based playlist suitability.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising loading the playlists on another device.

Plain English Translation

The playlists created using the described method can be loaded onto another device. This allows users to transfer their personalized playlists to other devices. For example, this ensures that the playlists can be available and usable on the user's phone as well as their car.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. One or more non-transitory computer storage media storing computer executable instructions which when executed perform a method, on a device that both stores audio files and receives streamed audio content from a plurality of radio channels, of organizing the audio files stored on the device based on characteristics of the stored audio content when compared to characteristics of each of the plurality of radio channels, the method comprising: analyzing content received over at least a first radio channel and a second radio channel of the plurality of radio channels to determine characteristics of the audio content that is streamed over the first and second radio channels; based on the analysis, determining that the first radio channel plays a first type of music and that the second radio channel plays a second type of music; creating a first playlist based on the first radio channel; creating a second playlist based on the second radio channel; for each of a plurality of audio files stored on the device, comparing the audio file to the first and second radio channels to determine whether the audio file comprises the first type of music played on the first radio channel or the second type of music played on the second radio channel; based on the comparison, placing each audio file in the first or second playlist such that audio files comprising music of the first type are placed in the first playlist while audio files comprising music of the second type are placed in the second playlist; correlating the first playlist with the first radio channel; correlating the second playlist with the second radio channel; receiving input from a user of the device that specifies the first or second playlist; and in response to the user input, tuning the device to the radio channel correlated with the specified playlist.

Plain English Translation

A non-transitory computer storage medium contains instructions for a device that stores audio files and receives streamed audio content. These instructions enable the device to organize stored audio files based on their characteristics compared to radio channels. The device analyzes content from radio channels (at least two) to determine their audio characteristics, identifying music types (e.g., "first type", "second type"). It creates playlists corresponding to each channel. Audio files are then compared to these channels to determine if they match the channel's music type. Based on this comparison, audio files are placed into the appropriate playlist. Each playlist is linked to its corresponding radio channel. When a user selects a playlist, the device tunes to the radio channel linked to that playlist, allowing the user to hear similar content.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

October 21, 2014

Inventors

Timothy C. Nichols
Mark Andrew Ross
Clare Lawson
Arthur Anthonie van Hoff

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